Cycling: Oliphant shines for Team Raleigh

COLIN RENTON

Capital cyclist Evan Oliphant earned plaudits from his team boss after he contributed to a long-distance double for Team Raleigh.

The 33-year-old sprinted to victory in the Crit on the Campus circuit race at Stirling University, crossing the line several lengths clear of Pete Murdoch (Neon-Velo Cycling Team), with teenager Fraser Martin (Spokes RT) completing the podium.

At the same time, Oliphant’s team mate Karol Domagalski was taking the honours at the Wally Gimber Trophy in Kent.

Raleigh manager Cherie Pridham declared herself “thrilled that Evan has got his first podium of the year” and pointed to the double as evidence of the squad’s depth ahead of a busy season on the roads of Britain and Europe.

The women’s event at Stirling was won Scotland international Charline Joiner, making her first appearance in the colours of Team WNT.

British criterium champion Eileen Roe, a former colleague of Joiner at City of Edinburgh but now competing on the world circuit for the Wiggle Honda team, crashed on the final corner.